Friday, April 02, 2004

Together with Al Franken and Air America Radio, MoveOn.org is holding a contest this week to find the most stupid or most clearly false – or ideally both – comment by a Bush administration official or major right-wing figure. Submit your quote ... and you could win!

The PrizeIf you win, your quote will be featured on the O’Franken Factor radio show, and you’ll be recognized by name. We’ll also send you a signed and personalized copy of Al Franken’s book, “Lies and the Lying Liars that Tell Them.”

Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Today was historic. A bone fide Liberal radio show made its debut, and while it was rocky for some internet listeners, it was certainly a far cry from the hyperventilative bloviance that has become the earmark, so to speak, of Reich Wing Radio.
Soft-spoken, genteel, aristocratic, Mr. Franken shows why he, and not Mr. Limbaugh, gets to go to Harvard.

But the difference goes beyond style. It is even more obvious in content. Rush has to say what his trainers and sugardaddies tell him to say. Mr. Franken can say anything he wants, being true to Harvard's dedication to free inquiry, free expression, free...dom.

Rush and the Reich are not so freethinking. Nor has Rush had the wondrous opportunities to learn from the greatest minds of his generation. Franken has used his mind well, and has the added benefit of also having a good heart. Rush, a druggie, is not safe for your children. Al Franken is. And he will, daily, show why he is the better role model, and more to be trusted.

Stay tuned. I will. I love to learn. Mere emotionality does not impress, no matter how loudly one proclaims it.

FUTURE SHOWS

Just like hollywood's Bob Roberts, so too does Rush Limbaugh, the fat man's messiah, usurp badges of the young and cool, like rock music...and plays it on his show, as if he too is cool by extension. Well, Al Franken needn't usurp. He already has the great musicians and songs on his side...from CSY to Beatles to Radiohead to Talking Heads. And I think it would be great if he were to use music to help convey the message. Buffalo Springfield, Patti Smith, Peter Gabriel...and on and on and on. Take the music back! Maybe have live performances, or host benefit concerts...

And what about guests? Of course there will be comedic greats, as well as political and philosophical greats. And Mr. Franken should not hestitate to make use of the Harvard Lampoon staff and alumnae. Conan did, and look at him! Delight and instruct! Bring your education to bear, and don't shy away from your superior education and connections. For years you have serves us with great good cheer. We will repay you with ears and mouths.

Do what the Limbaughs of the world are afraid to do: Let others speak. And reach high and low. Have Nobel prize winners and laureates as well as the word from the street. Do you think Desmond Tutu would ever appear on the EIB network? Fat chance! Tutu has taste and refinement. And no reason to overstate. Rush is the Head Overstater in charge of breeding an army of overstaters.

Learn from Conan and Letterman. There is never a dull moment on either show. And both relentlessly work at making each show better than the last. And it shows. This, along with an impressive guestlist...along with your natural wit, will endear listeners to return. The alternative is obsolescent, vacuous and atavistic. A backwards-running watch.

I expect the O'Franken Show to, one day, be as good or better than Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. You're off to a good start. Carpe Millennium!

You are Paul Krugman! You're a brilliant economistwith a knack for both making sense of thecurrent economic situation and exposing theBush administration's lies about it. Yousomehow came out as the best anti-war writer onthe Op-Ed staff. Other economists hate yourguts for selling out to the liberals. To hellwith 'em.

Sunday, March 28, 2004

As Virginia, Chris's delightful sister notes, it is "O'Riley", NOT "O'Reilly".
Mr. O'Riley is also the composer of piano music adaptations of the music of Radiohead, as well as being the host of "From the Top".

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About Me

Social Media Humorist & author of "The Great Chain of Conversation", and composer of "Powwowiraqsi" and other love songs. Lover of wit, charm, grace, music, wisdom, nature, spirit, art & humanity. Cured hiccups (breathe in a slow continuous figure-8). Wordjones. Composer. Idea Consultant. Social Media Advisor. Connecting the good and great for the greater good.